Barcelona President Reveals Possibility Of Messi Returning To Barça

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that despite maintaining a good relationship with Lionel Messi, they did not have any direct communication with the Argentine superstar following his decision to join Inter Miami. Laporta expressed his well wishes to Messi for his future endeavors.

“We had his contract ready but it was not possible to proceed. Barcelona will always be his home,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta confirmed that Barcelona had a contract prepared for Messi, indicating their desire to keep him at the club. However, due to certain circumstances, the contract could not be executed. Despite this, Laporta emphasized that Barcelona will always be Messi’s home, highlighting the strong bond between the player and the club.

Laporta on Barça signings: “We need to sign one right back and two midfielders to complete the team as Xavi asked.”

Addressing Barcelona’s transfer plans, Laporta revealed that they are targeting reinforcements in the right-back position and midfield, as per the request of their newly appointed manager, Xavi Hernandez. These signings aim to bolster the squad and fulfill Xavi’s vision for the team.

“Xavi’s new contract? We will do it at the right moment, once we complete our squad,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.

Regarding Xavi’s contract extension as Barcelona’s head coach, Laporta indicated that they will finalize the agreement at an appropriate time. The priority currently lies in completing the squad with the desired signings before addressing Xavi’s contract situation.

Laporta on Dembélé: “I think he will stay at Barça. Xavi loves him and I’m a big fan too.”

Laporta expressed optimism about Ousmane Dembélé’s future at Barcelona, stating that he believes the player will remain at the club. He highlighted Xavi’s admiration for Dembélé and also revealed his own support for the talented winger. Laporta also mentioned ongoing negotiations for a new long-term deal with Dembélé, suggesting that the club hopes to secure his services for the foreseeable future.

“It’s true that he’s not gonna activate the €50m clause — we’re negotiating a new long-term deal. We hope it happens,” Laporta informed Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta: “I see Ansu Fati’s future here at Barcelona. He wants to win here, he’s a goalscorer and he wants to continue at our club,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta expressed his belief that Ansu Fati has a bright future at Barcelona. He emphasized Fati’s desire to succeed and win trophies with the club, highlighting his goal-scoring abilities. Laporta reaffirmed the club’s commitment to retaining Fati’s services and supporting his development.

“Xavi is convinced to give Ansu a new opportunity at the club,” Laporta added.

Barcelona president Laporta provided insights into Xavi’s plans for Ansu Fati, confirming that the new coach is eager to give the young talent another chance to shine at the club. This signals a renewed opportunity for Fati to make a significant impact under Xavi’s guidance.

Barça president Laporta on anticipating Vitor Roque deal this summer instead of January 2024: “It will depend on the FFP, on the viability plan.”

Laporta discussed the potential early arrival of Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque, stating that the timing of the deal depends on Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and the club’s viability plan. While the intention is to secure Roque’s services this summer, it ultimately hinges on the financial aspects and compliance with FFP guidelines.

“There are operations that have to be done,” Laporta told Sport.

Regarding Barcelona’s transfer activities, Laporta acknowledged the need for certain operations to be carried out. This suggests that the club is actively working on player acquisitions or potential departures to strengthen the squad and address the team’s requirements.

Barça president Laporta on Arda Güler: “We had an agreement with the player and we were ready to pay Fenerbahçe €17.5m.”

Laporta revealed Barcelona’s interest in Turkish player Arda Güler, stating that they had reached an agreement with the player. Furthermore, Barcelona was prepared to pay Fenerbahçe a transfer fee of €17.5 million for his services.

“But then other clubs like Real Madrid came in and paid much more — so we shouldn’t get into a bidding war,” Laporta told Sport.

However, Laporta mentioned that the potential deal for Arda Güler did not materialize due to other clubs, such as Real Madrid, entering the bidding and offering a higher transfer fee. As a result, Barcelona chose not to engage in a bidding war for the player’s signature.

Laporta: “Messi playing again for Barça one day? It’s more difficult now, so you should ask Leo… we all wanted to make it happen but was not possible,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.

When asked about the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona in the future, Laporta expressed that the situation has become more challenging, indicating that it would be best to inquire with Messi himself. Laporta emphasized the club’s desire to bring Messi back, but acknowledged that the circumstances currently make it unlikely.

“He’s always gonna be in top form, but I can’t expose myself by saying that he will play for Barça again,” Laporta added.

Laporta reiterated Messi’s exceptional abilities but refrained from making any definitive statements about the player’s return to Barcelona, understanding the complexity of the situation and the need for cautious optimism.

Laporta confirms: “Vitor Roque deal is done and sealed. He’s a Barça player.”

Laporta officially confirmed the completion of the deal for Vitor Roque, stating that the agreement has been finalized. The Brazilian talent is now a Barcelona player, marking a significant addition to the club’s future prospects.

“Deal is expected for 2024, then if we can anticipate depends on FFP — we expect many goals from Vitor,” Laporta added.

The agreement for Vitor Roque includes a plan for his arrival in 2024. However, the possibility of an earlier arrival depends on the club’s adherence to Financial Fair Play regulations. Laporta expressed optimism about Roque’s potential impact and expects him to contribute significantly with his goal-scoring abilities.

“He has his own style, so he can’t be compared to Ronaldo or Romario,” Laporta commented.

Laporta acknowledged that Vitor Roque possesses a unique style of play, indicating that comparisons to other prolific Brazilian forwards like Ronaldo or Romario would not do justice to his individual qualities. The young talent is expected to carve out his own path and showcase his distinct abilities at Barcelona.